Updated 5-21-18

The 2018 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom kicks off in just a few weeks! Tickets have been on sale for a while but as of the writing of this post, no dates are sold out yet. This year the party starts on August 17 and runs on 32 select nights through October 31st. Ticket prices vary by night based on historic crowd size. If you can attend the party on August 28,  September 3, 9, 11, 16, 18, or 23rd you will get the most bang for your buck because these dates have the lowest ticket price and usually the smallest crowds.

Top 10 Must-Dos at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is my favorite special event at the Magic Kingdom all year long. It is truly fun for the whole family.

photo credit Disney Ali Nasser, photographer

10. Special Merchandise and Treats

Disney is known for their specialty cupcakes and there are always a few ghoulish treats to try during the Halloween party. In past years there has even been candy corn soft serve, so check your party guide map to find a new treat to try. Party t-shirts, pins and Magic Bands are always in demand at the Emporium and other locations in the park. If you are a Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom fan, make sure you pick up your special Halloween party card at the Main St Fire House.

9. Early Entry

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party starts at 7pm. If you have a ticket to the party you can enter the Magic Kingdom starting at 4pm. That is 3 bonus hours of park time! If you are on vacation with a Magic Your Way ticket, you can spend the day at your resort, Disney Springs or at a water park and save a day’s ticket.

If you arrive at 4:00pm I recommend you use that time wisely. Ride a few rides, eat dinner and then by 6:30pm head to the location of the character meet and greet you must do. We will talk about these in a but but get in line early!

8. Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet

Venture into Frontierland and you just might encounter the ghostly group known as the Cadaver Dans. They really like “axing” Guests questions… and answering with puns as part of their “dead pan” humor!

7. Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular

In “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular,” the mischievous Sanderson Sisters from Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” return to the mortal world for one night during the Halloween season. With only a few hours to run amuck, the three sisters decide to use their magic to throw the best, evil Halloween party this side of the graveyard!

With the help of the Disney villains, Winifred, Mary and Sarah gather together sinister shadows, nefarious nightmares and the power of their frightful friends to conjure the ultimate Hocus Pocus Party Potion and cast a spell on everyone in the Magic Kingdom Park. “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” features appearances by Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie, Maleficent and other great Disney villains, along with dancers, projections and special effects that combine to make this show a not-to-be-missed Halloween treat.

6. Character Meet and Greets

As I mentioned before Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a great place to get some unique pictures and autographs. Of course the character with the longest line is always Jack Skellington. Other characters that can usually be found during the party are Snow White and all 7 dwarfs, Jafar, Lotso, Cruella de Vil, Queen of Hearts and more. The locations are on your party guide map.

5. Rides

For me a lot of my night is spent near the hub or trick-or-treating but I do try to ride at least 3 rides during the party. Haunted Mansion- It just isn’t Halloween without a ride in a Doom Buggy and you have to see Madame Carlotta and Madame Rinata who sit on the lawn of the Haunted Mansion entertaining guests in line. Peter Pan-You have to ride this when the lines are short so you can go through the regular queue. This queue is so well done, but if you always fastpass the ride, you miss the queue. 7 Dwarfs Mine Train- This ride is fun any time but it is the best at night. Take advantage of the shorter wait times during the party and sing Heigh-Ho!

photo credit Disney Gene Duncan, photographer

4. Costume

It’s a Halloween party so most people dress up, it’s part of the fun. There are new rules imposed by Disney but before we get to those I ahve a few common sense tips.

1. This is Florida, dress appropriately. Especially in September, the temperature will still be hot, even at night. Wear light fabric costumes.
2. Don’t make your child wear an itchy costume over their street clothes, they will over heat. I see this every year, poor miserable kids because they have cheap, itchy costumes on over their street clothes.
3. Make sure you can move, walk and sit in your costume. If you can’t sit on a ride with the ride restraint harnessed, you can’t ride.
4. Wear comfortable shoes. Yes, it is acceptable for your princess to wear sneakers with her Cinderella dress.

Disney’s Costume Rules

Disney reserves the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or attire that could detract from the experience of other Guests.

• All Guests may dress as their favorite character, but may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests.
• Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable or violent.
• Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
• Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest.

Guests who do not adhere to these guidelines may be refused entry into, and/or removed from, unless his or her costume can be modified to meet the above standards.

For Guests ages 13 and under:

• Costumes and some masks may be worn, as long as the mask does not cover the entire face and eyes are visible.

For Guests ages 14 and older:

• Layered costumes or costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and may be subject to additional security screening.
• Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground. (e.g. full-length Princess dresses)
• Capes may be worn if the length does not go below the waist.
• Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, and hats are acceptable.
• Acceptable accessories include: transparent wings, plastic light sabers, toy swords, and tutus. Headwear may be worn as long as it does not cover the face.
• May not wear masks of any kind.

I’ll admit, I’m confused about the “no weapon” rule but light sabers and swords are permitted. They are weapons too.

3. Trick or Treat

Yes, trick or treating takes up time but it is so worth it. Disney partners with quality candy companies and gives out lots of candy. Be prepared to lug your candy bags all night long. Treat locations are on your party map.

2. Hallowishes

Celebrate the hallowed spooky season with a high-flying spider web of spine-tingling pyrotechnic effects and haunting melodies. The Ghost Host from the Haunted Mansion invites you to “drop in” as Disney Villains light up the night with fireworks and a wicked version of melodies from Disney’s past that echo through the night—and creepy colors crawl over Cinderella Castle.

The “scare-abration” gets into full swing when some of the Disney Villains we most love to hate—including Maleficent, Ursula, Cruella de Vil, Jafar and Oogie Boogie—croon their scary tunes and do their best to steal the show.

Hallowishes is only shown once per night so plan accordingly. You don’t want to miss this fireworks spectacular.

1. Boo to You Parade

I know a lot of people just aren’t parade people. Boo to You is not your typical parade. From the entry of the headless horseman to the grave diggers and hitchhiking ghosts this parade is full of Halloween fun. There 2 parades during each party, the second one is usually less crowded. We usually find our spot near the hub in time for Celebrate the Magic and stay put for Hallowishes, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular and the Boo to You Parade.

If you still need to plan your trip to Walt Disney World for this fall or order your party tickets, please Email me and we can get planning.